Carla Zampatti

One of her early dresses, bought in 1967, was still in use for special occasions by its original purchaser in 2021 — a fact that contributed to ongoing debate about the quality and sustainability of fashion.

[9] Over the next three years, boutiques were opened in Mosman, Double Bay and Elizabeth Street, Sydney, growing the Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd company to create a chain of 30 Carla Zampatti boutiques and concept stores across Australia.

[15][13] Zampatti's daughter, Bianca Spender, spent her childhood in her mother's studio which led to her interest in studying fashion in Paris.

[16] Zampatti held a number of directorships, including chairman of the SBS Corporation,[18] a director of the Westfield Group,[19] and a trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

The award is announced annually in the lead-up to Australia Day, and its recipients are individually featured on a postage stamp.

[32] The award is polled by members of the industry, an initiative of the Government of New South Wales and IMG Fashion.

[37][38] She had three children: Alex Schuman (CEO of Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd), Allegra Spender (Member of the Australian House of Representatives for Wentworth and CEO of Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd from 2008 to 2016), and Bianca Spender (designer).

[39] On 26 March 2021, Zampatti attended the opening night of La traviata at Mrs Macquarie's Chair on Sydney Harbour, where she was knocked unconscious after falling on a staircase.

[42] The service was held at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney on 15 April 2021, where many attendees wore her designs, and her daughter said “If she was alive, she’d say this is the best-dressed funeral she had ever attended.”[8][43]